Paget Industrial Estate , Mackay ( Queensland )
high impact industry demand driven by increased activity in specific industry sectors that require space for heavy industrial activity .
In reality , the low growth scenario was deemed unrealistic , as it is unlikely that exceptionally low growth or a period of contraction would persist for a 20-year period . The steady state scenario was deemed most likely , although subject to economic fluctuations and economic cycles . The high growth scenario was deemed unlikely as it was predicated on a similar historic mining construction boom , as experienced in the Bowen Basin between 2003 and 2013 .
The 3 scenarios were then used to stress test the adequacy of available industrial land supply . This analysis considered current vacant serviced land and future zoned industrial land that can be brought to market under the Mackay Region Planning Scheme 2017 . The result challenged the thinking around the servicing and sequencing of industrial precincts , especially under a high growth scenario .
In addition to the above , Council investigated the development potential of the six future Industry Investigation areas as identified in the planning scheme . This
included determining the industrial land yield , constraints and trunk infrastructure cost implications of developing these areas . This provided Council with additional information to consider the sequencing of these areas to satisfy future industrial land demand .
The net result of all this work was : a sufficient supply of low impact industrial land to 2040 , and with a sequential approach to development , a sufficient supply of high impact industrial land to 2040 .
The work to ensure sufficient industrial land supply is on-going . In view of international trade exposure risk and uncertainties in predicting future demand for industrial land , Council has to keep its finger on the pulse . This means annual monitoring of industrial development activity , calculating the annual hectares of take-up of industrial land , updating the database of industrial land supply and drawing on publicly available market intelligence , trends in manufacturing and even population growth patterns . This annual action is important to determine which of the low growth , steady state or high growth scenarios is emerging .
Council has seen the value of the analysis undertaken and learned several lessons along the way . This includes : Know the drivers in your local economy and linkages to industrial land demand ; Know the actual use of industrial land in your area ; Know the different drivers of demand for low versus high impact industrial land ; Talk to industrialists to improve your local knowledge ; Build a detailed GIS supported database of industrial land ; Monitor industrial land activity on an annual basis ; and continue to plan ahead !
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PHILIP GROBLER Philip Grobler has worked in state and local government for 30 years . He is a qualified town planner and has worked across many fields of interest . He joined Mackay Regional Council in